Page 36 of Dirty Judge

If I weren’t so hell-bent on getting payback, I would’ve given her a round of applause. Then I would’ve suggested she pick up wherever she left off in law school and become a defense attorney. Stat.

Alas, now wasn’t the time for compliments.

Now was only the time for complete and utterrevenge…

I opened my personal drawer and pulled out the list I’d been drafting for weeks.

Two hundred hours of community service

Mandatory anger management counseling

“Scared Straight Prison Program”

I stopped reading my former ideas and fed them to my shredder.

I didn’t need to reach her through petty and abstract legal loopholes anymore.

I could handle her punishment so much better with her working right under me.

As I considered what move I should make first, a knock sounded at my door.

“Come in,” I said.

“It’s me.” Mara stepped inside. “Is something wrong?”

“Why are you asking me that?”

“Because you have a court full of defendants waiting for arraignment.” Mara stepped in and grabbed my robe, holding it out for me. “And you’re officially five minutes late.”

“My apologies.” I stood to my feet. “I’m fine, though. And everything is just perfect.”

“I know high-quality sarcasm when I hear it.”

“I’m serious, Mara.” I grabbed the robe. “Everything is good.”

“Okay…Well, did you meet your new law clerk yet?” she asked. “I really think I picked the right one for your office.”

“I did, but I’m sure time will tell.”

“I agree.” She beamed. “I think she’s capable of lasting a long time here.”

Oh, I have every intention of making sure she “lasts”…

OFFICIAL MISCONDUCT (N.):

IMPROPER AND/OR ILLEGAL ACTS BY A PUBLIC OFFICIAL WHICH VIOLATE HIS/HER DUTY TO FOLLOW THE LAW AND ACT ON BEHALF OF THE PUBLIC GOOD.

OLIVIA

Later that afternoon

“The list of defendants’ charges and arraignments trickle in from three different departments every night.” Mara ushered me into a room full of large printers.

“Your job is to organize each one as its own separate docket and enter them into the system at least two hours before I arrive for the next morning. Got it?”

I nodded even though I was barely following.

“Monday will be your busiest day because it includes the charges from Friday night through Sunday night.”